What is Gemma?

On the Gemma is a video showing what Gemma foam is, how it is made and how it works. According to Spaldin, Gemma is "a revolutionary technology designed to expel the moisture and heat produced by our body while sleeping." This technology was developed by Industrias Tobia, the parent company of Spaldin Sleep Systems, described as "a high-tech European bedding manufacturer pioneer in the Natural Sleep concept that combines the use of Fully Certified human and ecologically safe materials with the maximization of Thermal Comfort and Ergonomics."

The key feature of Gemma is its "gem-like" crystaline structure of open dodecahedrons (a dodecahedron is a 12-faced 3-D figure with pentagonal faces). This lacey design allows not only air, but also moisture to pass through. This is to keep the top surface both cool and dry. With both air and moisture circulating, the moisture evaporates, further cooling the mattress.

This design was inspired by natural structures, such as honeycomb cells. According to the video, the foam is formed in two stages. In the second expanded into the open crystaline configuration, which is highly permeable.

What is Thermal Comfort?

Spaldin explains Thermal Comfort this way: "Thermal comfort is measured by the capability of a mattress to allow this natural heat dissipating mechanism to work and to stay dry."

They go on to explain the role of cooling, how the body sleeps better when the temperature is lowered, such as through perspiration. But this means is halted during the REM (Rapid Eye Movement) cycles, and sleep is interrupted if the sleeper becomes to warm.

The Gemma page also describes four "Mechanisms of heat elimination" ( [1] Radiation, [2] Conduction, [3] Convection, and [4] Evaporation) and how they operate when sleeping on a mattress.

Models

So far Spaldin has two Gemma models: Gemma Thermal Comfort Firm and Gemma Thermal Comfort Plush. The difference between these two models is in density of the top layer of plush foam. This foam in the Gemma Firm is 2 pounds, while that of the Gemma Plush is 1.3 pounds. Otherwise, the descriptions of the two Gemma models are the same.

Under the cover are two layers of comfort foam. The top layer is 2-lb. density soft cushioning foam. The second layer is Spaldin's 3.2-lb. Gemmamemory foam. Each of these foam has the Gemma gem-like structure. This takes the place of reticulated foam for allowing moisture to flow through for rapid drying.

The support core of the Tobia Gemma Thermal Comfort Firm is a layer of 2-lb. polyurethane foam. This and the other foams used in Spaldin mattresses contains uo to 60% plant-derived polyol oils, reducing dependency on petroleum products.